By David Eck
Enquirer contributor

LEBANON - A Verona man testified Tuesday that he and a former Warren County sheriff's deputy twice made methamphetamine at the Deerfield Township apartment complex where the deputy lived.

Frederick Purcell Jr. said the second time he and then-Deputy Michael Moore, 34, made the powerful stimulant was on Dec. 26 in the garage of Moore's apartment building.

"It was right after Christmas - the next day," Purcell testified. "I called Mike. Mike told me to come up."

The two also made the illegal drug at the complex around Thanksgiving, Purcell testified.

Moore also would "keep an ear out for trouble," Purcell testified.

Moore's father and brother testified that Moore spent the Christmas holiday at his parents' home in Union. And Moore's attorney, Bill Fowler, showed jurors dated photos of Moore at his parents' home over the holiday.

The testimony came in the second day of Moore's trial in Warren County Common Pleas Court. He faces six drug-related charges. A seventh charge, tampering with evidence, was dismissed Tuesday by Judge Neal Bronson.

Jurors are expected to begin deliberations in the case today.

Authorities began investigating Moore several days after Purcell was arrested Dec. 31. Purcell was stopped for speeding on Interstate 71, and officers found several items commonly used for making meth in his car.

Moore was implicated after officers found a gas mask issued by the Warren County Sheriff's Department in Purcell's car, Blue Ash Police Officer Scott Noel testified Tuesday.

Noel added that Purcell said he got the mask from Moore, a friend.

E-mail daveck@fuse.net